6
LEVITON.COM/CROSSTALK 1 IN THIS ISSUE Incremental Migration: Deploying 10G, 40G, and 100G in the Same Network Leviton Acquires Brand-Rex, Enhancing Global Reach Wireless Challenges and the Internet of Things Standards Snapshot Connections News You Can Use Tech Tips Ask The Experts continued on pg. 2 As demand grows for 40G and 100G networks, it is imperative that data center and IT managers consider cabling and connectivity that can handle multiple tech refreshes, emerging technologies, and the latest standards. This type of migration strategy will maximize their return on infrastructure investment. While shipments of 40G and 100G transceivers are on the rise, the large majority of data center networks don’t undergo a wholesale migration from 10G channels to native 40G or 100G in one fell swoop. Instead, many typically move in stages: upgrading to 40G or 100G at switches in the core or aggregation layers, with the goal of updating servers or top-of-rack switches during a future tech refresh. Organizations who make these incremental changes need to plan carefully, as the right strategy will avoid costly upgrades that require ripping out cabling and starting over with a new network architecture. Choose a Flexible, Scalable Cabling Infrastructure Regardless of the switch or port type for 10G, 40G, or 100G fiber, a 24-fiber MPO/MTP ® cabling system is the most flexible and scalable solution. In 2010, when IEEE 802.3ba was ratified, it required 24-fiber MTP connections for 100GBASE-SR10. Within months, Leviton became the first manufacturer to offer an end-to-end 24-fiber MTP system. In the following years, more manufacturers followed suit, and in 2012 Leviton introduced lower loss 24-fiber MTP solutions, allowing more connections in a 40G/100G channel. Today we have reached the point where the latest active equipment for 40G and 100G can support multiple ports using the 24-fiber interface. The following topologies are common scenarios that show ways to utilize your existing cabling infrastructure with OM3 and OM4 short-reach optics. These use 24-fiber and 8-fiber MTP connectivity, but many of these scenarios can also use existing 12-fiber legacy trunks with minimal to no modification. continued on pg. 3 By Dave Mullen, Senior Product Manager, Fiber & Data Center Solutions, Network Solutions Incremental Migration: Deploying 10G, 40G, and 100G in the Same Network In December 2015, Leviton acquired Brand-Rex Ltd., a leading developer of cabling solutions for network infrastructure and high-performance industrial applications. Headquartered in Scotland, Brand-Rex's robust European market presence is a natural complement to Leviton Network Solutions' existing network infrastructure systems offerings and strength in the Americas. Brand-Rex will provide cabling to complement Leviton's connectivity solutions in Europe, the Middle East, Mexico, Latin America and Asia. Over time, Leviton will use this new expanded geographic presence and logistics infrastructure to offer a wide range of Leviton products in these markets. Leviton will continue its existing partnership with Berk-Tek to meet the customer cabling needs and specifications in the United States. Leviton Acquires Brand-Rex, Enhancing Global Reach Next-Gen Networks: Migration Strategies for 25G/40GBASE-T, High-Power PoE, and High-Speed Wireless Webinar: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST Your Source for Industry News & Insight Cross Talk NEWSLETTER Vol. 7 | Jan/Feb 2016

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Page 1: CrossTalk - Leviton€¦ · cabling and connectivity that can handle multiple tech refreshes, emerging technologies, and the latest standards. This type of migration strategy will

LEVITON.COM/CROSSTALK 1

IN THIS ISSUEIncremental Migration: Deploying 10G, 40G, and 100G in the Same Network

Leviton Acquires Brand-Rex, Enhancing Global Reach

Wireless Challenges and the Internet of Things

Standards Snapshot

Connections

News You Can Use

Tech Tips

Ask The Experts

continued on pg. 2

As demand grows for 40G and 100G networks, it is imperative that data center and IT managers consider cabling and connectivity that can handle multiple tech refreshes, emerging technologies, and the latest standards. This type of migration strategy will maximize their return on infrastructure investment.

While shipments of 40G and 100G transceivers are on the rise, the large majority of data center networks don’t undergo a wholesale migration from 10G channels to native 40G or 100G in one fell swoop. Instead, many typically move in stages: upgrading to 40G or 100G at switches in the core or aggregation layers, with the goal of updating servers or top-of-rack switches during a future tech refresh. Organizations who make these incremental changes need to plan carefully, as the right strategy will avoid costly upgrades that require ripping out cabling and starting over with a new network architecture.

Choose a Flexible, Scalable Cabling Infrastructure

Regardless of the switch or port type for 10G, 40G, or 100G fiber, a 24-fiber MPO/MTP® cabling system is the most flexible and scalable solution. In 2010, when IEEE 802.3ba was ratified, it required 24-fiber MTP connections for 100GBASE-SR10. Within months, Leviton became the first manufacturer to offer an end-to-end 24-fiber MTP system. In the following years, more manufacturers followed suit, and in 2012 Leviton introduced lower loss 24-fiber MTP solutions, allowing more connections in a 40G/100G channel. Today we have reached the point where the latest active equipment for 40G and 100G can support multiple ports using the 24-fiber interface.

The following topologies are common scenarios that show ways to utilize your existing cabling infrastructure with OM3 and OM4 short-reach optics. These use 24-fiber and 8-fiber MTP connectivity, but many of these scenarios can also use existing 12-fiber legacy trunks with minimal to no modification.

continued on pg. 3

By Dave Mullen, Senior Product Manager, Fiber & Data Center Solutions, Network Solutions

Incremental Migration:Deploying 10G, 40G, and 100G in the Same Network

In December 2015, Leviton acquired Brand-Rex Ltd., a leading developer of cabling solutions for network infrastructure and high-performance industrial applications. Headquartered in Scotland, Brand-Rex's robust European market presence is a natural complement to Leviton Network Solutions' existing network infrastructure systems offerings and strength in the Americas.

Brand-Rex will provide cabling to complement Leviton's connectivity solutions in Europe, the Middle East, Mexico, Latin America and Asia. Over time, Leviton will use this new expanded geographic presence and logistics infrastructure to offer a wide range of Leviton products in these markets. Leviton will continue its existing partnership with Berk-Tek to meet the customer cabling needs and specifications in the United States.

Leviton Acquires Brand-Rex, Enhancing Global Reach

Next-Gen Networks:Migration Strategies for 25G/40GBASE-T, High-Power PoE, and High-Speed Wireless

Webinar:Tuesday, Feb. 23, 201610:00 - 11:00 a.m. PST

Your Source for Industry News & Insight

CrossTalk NEWSLETTERVol. 7 | Jan/Feb 2016

Page 2: CrossTalk - Leviton€¦ · cabling and connectivity that can handle multiple tech refreshes, emerging technologies, and the latest standards. This type of migration strategy will

LEVITON.COM/CROSSTALK 2

Incremental Migration: Deploying 10G, 40G, and 100G in the Same Network • continued from pg. 1

QSFP+ 40G to 10G

Figure 1 shows an architecture with an upgraded 40G switch that is networked to existing 10G servers. A 24-fiber MTP® trunk connects a switch and server cabinet. At the switch, a cassette combines three 40G ports (QSFP 8-fiber) on the 24-fiber trunk. In the server cabinet, each 40G port is segregated into 10G LC connections to support server connectivity.

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Opt-X® HD 24F - 3x8 Conversion Cassette

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24F - 3x8 MTP Method B Trunk

LC-LC Patch Cords

Opt-X HD 8F - 4XLC Conversion Cassette

It is important to note that you do not necessarily require a new 24-fiber MTP trunk. If you have existing 12-fiber MTP trunks in place, you can use a cassette with two 12-fiber MTP inputs that will break out into 3 x 8 fibers. However, when one moves to more dense and more complex applications, the 24-fiber MTP solution makes for an easier migration.

Top of Rack 40G to 10G Conversion with 24-Fiber Trunks

Figure 2 shows a scenario that uses existing servers and a Top-of-Rack (ToR) switch with 10G ports. The switch then integrates and communicates with the core switch via a 40G uplink port. The scenario uses common elements seen in the previous examples, but uses an 8-fiber MTP® array cord to feed into the 10G ToR switch.

The polarity in this type of channel is somewhat unique — it does not follow TIA Method A, B, or C standard polarities. On the four 10G ports at the ToR switch, you must integrate each transmit and receive to land properly at the 40G port (QSFP). So polarity of the array cord and cassette are a key piece of this channel design. The cassettes and array cords control the fiber mapping and provide transitions from 10G to 40G. The cassettes in particular are very flexible components that can be utilized in many other existing network architectures, making the migration from 10G to 100G easier to install and configure.

Figure 2

Server CabinetsSwitch Cabinet with 40G Ports

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LC-LC or Copper Patch Cords

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Server CabinetsSwitch Cabinet with 40G Ports

Figure 1

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LEVITON.COM/CROSSTALK 3

New Installation for a 40/100G Deployment

Figure 3 shows an example of a completely new installation, using 40/100G right out of the box without any 10G switches in the channel. This method has 40G or 100G ports on the core switches, and 40G uplinks at the ToR switches. The patch panels at the top of each rack use MTP® bulkheads, with all 8-fiber cords from one QSFP port to the next.

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Top of Rack Switches with 40G Uplinks

Incremental Migration: Deploying 10G, 40G, and 100G in the Same Network • continued from pg. 2

This scenario can use 24-fiber trunks that break out into 40G ports, similar to the topology in Figure 2. Another option is to create trunks with 8-fiber strands on every leg, with 8 fibers per 40G or 100G port, as shown in the diagram above. However, density can become a challenge with 8-fiber legs: A 1RU panel or enclosure can support up to 288 fibers, but supporting that density with 8-fiber connections would mean 36 legs from a 288-fiber trunk. This means cable management challenges will need to be addressed around the 1RU panel, on the front and rear sides.

This topology is not ideal for use with existing 12-fiber infrastructure. Integrating existing 12-fiber trunks with 8-fiber connectivity on the patch cord creates dark fibers — a poor way to utilize fiber in the structured cabling.

For data center managers, it will be critical to maintain their investment in cabling infrastructure while having the flexibility to support these new applications. The Leviton Opt-X® Unity System is a proven system that will not only meet current bandwidth requirements, but will also provide the flexibility needed to meet any future network demands, including 100G, 400G, and beyond. And with 100 percent fiber utilization at a higher density, the Opt-X Unity system facilitates easier cable management, reduced pathway requirements, and improved airflow to provide greater return on infrastructure investment.

You can see more topologies and learn more options for upgrading your network while utilizing existing infrastructure by downloading the complete white paper.

Figure 3

Server CabinetsSwitch Cabinet with 40G Ports

“Leviton's acquisition of Brand-Rex will enable Leviton to offer truly end-to-end global solutions to our customers, while ensuring they receive the same high-quality products and services they've come to expect,” said Daryoush Larizadeh, president and chief operating officer of Leviton. “The natural synergies between Leviton and Brand-Rex allow for a pure growth opportunity as we strengthen and expand our geographic and vertical industry presence.”

Leviton and Brand-Rex will maintain their separate sales and distribution channels, as well as existing manufacturing operations. Ross Goldman, executive vice president and general manager at Leviton Network Solutions, will have overall responsibility for the business. “The merging of the two solutions will allow customers to access a broader set of services and solutions with local support worldwide,” said Goldman.

The merging of the two solutions will allow customers to access a broader set of services and solutions with local support worldwide.

- Ross Goldman, EVP & GM, Leviton Network Solutions

Leviton Acquires Brand-Rex, Enhancing Global Reach • continued from pg. 1

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LEVITON.COM/CROSSTALK 4

The number of devices collecting and exchanging data has grown significantly over the last few years. Fully automated environments, such as facilities capable of smart metering, energy monitoring, and health detection, already exist and, as the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to evolve, greater bandwidth and power are essential to maintaining uninterrupted network connectivity.

The IoT is the network of physical devices capable of collecting and sharing data through integrated sensors and network connectivity. These devices can be detected and controlled remotely across existing networks without human interference.

Wireless devices are a significant contributor to the rise of IoT, and with the increasing demand for wireless connectivity it’s important to have a flexible, scalable, and reliable structured cabling backbone to support the required bandwidth. Existing cabling infrastructures may not be capable of providing the bandwidth needed for optimal performance. Many enterprise and mission-critical networks already rely on more powerful 10GbE speeds over Category 6A infrastructures, with an eye toward future 40GbE networks over Category 8 cabling.

Power requirements for many networked devices have also increased, placing considerable energy demands on supporting infrastructures. Structured cabling technology advancements such as Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) and port intelligence, as well as improvements in Category 6A cable and connector designs, have reduced power usage. EEE also sets the stage for implementing wake-on-LAN (WoL) and power back-off features to further reduce power consumption and increase energy efficiency.

Installing a Category 6A structured cabling system – such as Leviton's Atlas-X1TM System – will ensure the availability of higher bandwidth to wireless devices while providing optimal support for EEE. This allows expanding wireless networks to maintain uninterrupted connectivity while minimizing power needed for full operability, creating a higher performing, energy-efficient solution that meets increasing IoT wireless demands.

To learn more about wireless standards and structured cabling trends, view our webinars at: Leviton.com/ns/webinars.

Wireless Challengesand the Internet of ThingsBy Yuna Shin, Senior Product Manager, Copper, Leviton Network Solutions

STANDARDS SNAPSHOTKeeping you up to date on important developments from IEEE, TIA, and BICSI.

4Q 2015 Standards Meeting Summary

Category 8 - TIA

The lab testing standard for Cat 8 (ANSI/TIA-1183-1) has been approved to publish. The Cat 8 standard will likely be published after the January 2016 meeting, but a third default ballot is also possible, which would push the publication to after the April 2016 interim meeting. Field testing standard (ANSI/TIA-1152A) moved to the second committee ballot for review at the January 2016 meeting. At least one industry ballot is required before publication, so the best-case timing for publication is the June 2016 meeting.

Power Over Ethernet (PoE) – TIA

TSB-184-A has moved to a third committee ballot. A key objective for this is to adopt a model that will predict the temperature rise in cable as a result of power delivery. The group is gravitating towards a model that is also being investigated by ISO and CENELEC. Adopting this model creates harmonization between the three standards bodies. A task group will be formed with the purpose of conducting tests to identify the two coefficients that are to be developed in the equation. One coefficient will be a function of the cable category, while the second coefficient would be a function of the installation conditions (open air, EMT conduit, PVC conduit, etc.). Once completed, the TSB will provide guidance on maximum bundle size for different category cables based on installation conditions and the maximum power delivered (15, 30W, 60W, or 100W).

General/Administration – TIA

ANSI/TIA-606-B-1 has been approved to publish. This addendum to the ANSI/TIA-606-B Administration standard includes requirements for Automated Infrastructure Management Systems (AIM), such as intelligent patching. The addendum mirrors the requirements for AIM systems in ISO/IEC 14763-2-1.

Atlas-X1 Cat 6A System

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LEVITON.COM/CROSSTALK 5

NEWS USEYOUCAN

TRENDS40G port shipment jumped 23 percent sequentially in the third quarter of 2015, reaching 1.3 million ports. 100G ports grew 14 percent in the same quarter, according to HIS Infonetics Research. The company expects 100G technologies to have a breakout year in 2016, as large cloud data centers transition of 100G switches.

Analyst firm IDC reports that after less than three years, 802.11ac now accounts for 57 percent of dependent access point unit shipments. This is a significantly faster adoption rate than the previous transition to 802.11n access points.

PRODUCTThe new Leviton Autoswitching HDBaseT Extender Wallplate can connect, switch, and extend HDMI and VGA signals to displays or projectors in conference rooms, classrooms, and control centers. It is capable of delivering uncompressed HD video in 3D, 2K, and 4K, over a single category cable up to 70 meters.

YESTERDAY’S NEWS2007: The Sun Blackbox, a modular portable data center with 280 servers built into a standard 20-foot shipping container, is deployed. While not visually pleasing, Sun Microsystems claimed at the time that their cost was only 1 percent of a data center in a traditional building.

WEBThe 2016 Leviton Network Solutions Catalog is now available! Get the most up-to-date information of all our products and systems today.

Go to Catalogs.leviton.com.

CONNECTIONS

In previous CrossTalk articles, I wrote about how new Leviton products and our responsive support teams make life easier for contractors and installers. There’s also a third way we help contractors: our extensive Make-to-Order program. This program gives you the ability to custom-configure a variety of fiber and copper products, which are then assembled and shipped quickly for fast turnaround.

I recently spoke with Gary Bernstein, Leviton’s senior director of product management for fiber and data center, about how our factory-terminated solutions specifically benefit contractors. He said that by using pre-terminated products, small contractors have a more equal playing field when competing for larger projects.

“In data centers where there are many terminations, a project might require 20 techs to perform field terminations — resources a small company can't provide,” said Gary. “But with make-to-order pre-terminated assemblies, a contractor could get the same amount of work done on the same schedule with five techs. They can get a foot in the door and potentially be the go-to contractor for future MAC work, resulting in long-term profitability from a valued customer.”

Also, next generation fiber systems increasingly rely on MPO/MTP® fiber connectors, and field terminating these connectors requires expensive equipment, such as ribbon splicers. In these applications, it simply makes financial sense for contractors to use pre-terminated assemblies. And Bernstein adds that since cable assembly lengths are typically consistent between cabinets and rows in data centers, it’s easy to know the exact length and custom solution you need. “In data centers, the distance between cabinet 1 and 2 is the same as between cabinet 2 and 3. Since you know what lengths you need, having them customer-configured and pre-terminated saves time and eliminates complexity,” said Bernstein.

It’s important to add that even though pre-terminated cables are factory-tested, contractors still play a critical role in performing cleaning and testing. Cable can still be damaged during the delivery and installation, so you need to spend the time on-site to ensure quality and performance after the installation is complete.

\

How to use a Leviton Online Configurator

Leviton gives you a wealth of options for configuring pre-terminated patch cords, harnesses, and trunk cables. Just go to Leviton.com/configurator and choose the exact specifications you need (e.g., fiber type, cable length, polarity, etc.). Take the resulting model number or part number and submit your quote request to Leviton inside sales or your local Leviton distributor. You can expect a 24-hour turnaround on all quote requests.

We’ve made building the exact solution for your next install quicker and easier than ever.

Custom-Configurable Pre-Terminated SolutionsMake Life Easier for ContractorsBy David Rumpakis, Contractor Programs Manager, Network Solutions

The HDBaseTTM Alliance launched an app that allows you to search all HDBaseT-certified products, organized by manufacturer and category. The app is free on both the Apple AppStore and GooglePlay.

The Autoswitching Wallplate can be combined with an 8-Button Control Panel Wallplate for easy push-button control capability.

These AV Control wallplates were recently previewed at the 2016 BICSI Winter Conference.

Autoswitching HDBaseTTM

Extender Wallplate

8-Button Control Panel Wallplate

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6

ASK THE EXPERTSQ: I saw you offer brackets for mounting jacks in above-ceiling and in-wall applications.

Why use a field-terminated jack when you can install a direct connection with a plug and be done?

A: Jacks provide a standards-based permanent link that can be tested and warranted right away for immediate and operational confidence. Combined with a stable connector mounting point, it reduces the chance of damage during construction, eliminates finger-pointing between the trades, and avoids high-cost rework — especially for hard to reach connections.

Many who use plugs reference ANSI/TIA-862 Building Automation Standard (BAS) as a standard that allows for direct connection of equipment to horizontal cabling with a plug. Caution must be taken when invoking this standard. Installing a plug onto a horizontal cable that runs directly from the Telecom Room is not allowed in the BAS standard. Compliance with the BAS standard requires a consolidation point between the TR and the plug.

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Routing and Patching 48 Cables with One Cable Manager

Follow the suggestions below for managing and dressing cables using a single rear cable management bar with a 2RU 48-port QuickPort patch panel.

1 Split the cable bundle before routing it to the rack; connectors that will terminate to the right side of the panel should route down the right side of the rack. Connectors that will terminate on the left side of the panel route down the left side of the rack.

2 Start with bottom row of patch panel ports, and seat the connectors of the first six terminated cables into the first six ports.

3 Velcro the bundle of six cables to the bottom of the cable management bar, and dress cables into the vertical cable manager on the right.

4 Install and dress the next group of six in a similar fashion, taking them again to the right side of the vertical cable manager.

5 Move to the left and install and dress the leftmost group of six cables first, then the final group of six on the bottom row of the patch panel.

6 Next, route terminated cables to the top row of patch panel ports.

7 Install the first six on the right and route the cables over the top of the cable management bar.

8 Velcro this bundle in place to the top of the cable management bar, and dress it into the vertical cable manager.

9 Do the same with the next three top bundles.

Route cables by working from the bottom of the rack first, organizing in bundles of six.